Bill > SF2526

This bill establishes the Outdoor School for All grant program, which aims to reconnect Minnesota students in grades 4-8 with nature and provide immersive outdoor educational experiences. The legislation recognizes that children today spend excessive time with screens and have limited outdoor exposure, which can be inequitable based on factors like race, income, and location. The bill creates a grant program administered by the Department of Natural Resources to support multiday, residential outdoor education programs that meet specific criteria, including providing direct nature experiences, using research-based environmental curricula, integrating with school academic standards, and developing students' leadership, critical thinking, and social-emotional skills. Grant recipients must be accredited overnight outdoor school providers or regional nonprofit learning centers that prioritize accessibility for underserved students, including those with disabilities. The program seeks to address the decline in children's outdoor engagement by offering educational experiences that can improve academic performance, foster a connection to nature, and potentially inspire future careers in fields like science, natural resources, and outdoor recreation. The bill includes an appropriation of funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the implementation of this new grant program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2526&ssn=0&y=2025